Kukla's Korner Hockey

Tortorella wasn’t making an example of Marian Gaborik on Wednesday night any more than the Rangers’ coach was making an example of Brian Boyle when he kept the big center on the bench for all but 2:30 (and 1:53 of even-strength) of the third period in the 3-2, Game 2 defeat to the Devils at the Garden.

The conference finals are neither the time nor the place for scapegoating or sending messages. The Rangers are the last team on earth that would need prompts delivered in that fashion, regardless. The guy behind their bench isn’t into mind games, in case you haven’t noticed.

This is not Game 26 of the regular season.

Tortorella is, rather, about giving ice time to players he believes, a) have earned it; and, equally as important as it applied to Game 2, b) are best equipped to help the team win with it.

Neither Gaborik, who was deficient on and away from the puck more than once, nor Boyle, who has not been a force since being concussed in Game 5 against Ottawa, fit either definition in the third period Wednesday, even if keeping Gaborik on the bench in the final minute represented a decision more of the coach’s heart than of his head.